This activity uses a globe ball to teach students about the locations of continents, oceans, and major mountain ranges. Students sit in a circle and toss the globe ball to each other, identifying the geographic feature under their thumb. If correct, they remain in the game. If incorrect, they are out. The goal is to be the last student in the game. Key places that can be identified include the seven continents and major oceans, as well as mountain ranges like the Rockies, Andes, Alps, and Himalayas.

1. Kyle Middleton, Charlene Cota, Lilianne Cherichel
The Globe Game
Purpose: As a result of this activity, students will be able to identify the continents, oceans, and major
mountain ranges around the world.
Related
Geography
Standard &
Standard 2. Knows the location of places, geographic features, and patterns of the
Benchmarks:
environment
Level II [Grade 3-5]
Benchmark 3. Knows the approximate location of major continents,
mountain ranges, and bodies of water on Earth
Student game of naming places on a globe
Product:
Material & 1 large (about 12" diameter) ball drawn with markers to outline significant features of the
Resources: earth, but no labels that would identify these continents, mountain ranges, and bodies of
water.
Teacher's Note: This game can be used to introduce place names or reinforce a previous place name lesson.
The "easy" version of the game would allow students to consult an atlas before passing the
ball, a "difficult" version of the game would require students to recall the place name from
memory. Note: The instructor may have the students sit in a circle on the floor if he/she feels
that having students sit on their desks is potentially dangerous.
Activity
Students will begin the game by sitting on the floor in a circle. The teacher will make the first toss of the game by
calling out a student’s name and tossing the "globe" ball to that student. Once the student catches the ball, the
student must identify the continent, mountain range, or body of water under his or her right thumb. The teacher or
fellow classmates can confirm if the student is correct. If the student is right, he or she can toss the "globe" to
another student and stay in the game. If the student is not correct, he or she must pass the globe to the nearest
person and leave the circle. The student can no longer pass or catch the "globe"; however, the student can still
participate by confirming other players’ place name identifications. The game continues until all but one student
remains. *Be sure that students call out the name of the classmate to whom they are tossing the ball; it helps
keep the game moving smoothly. PLACE NAMES THAT CAN BE IDENTIFIED ON THE "GLOBE": Continents: North
America South America Africa Europe Asia Australia Antartica Bodies of water: Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean Arctic
Ocean Indian Ocean Gulf of Mexico Mediterranean Sea Red Sea Mountain Ranges: Rocky Mountains Andes
Mountains Appalachian Mountains Alps Ural Mountains Himalayas.